[05 Aug 2012] Girls’ Generation – Unforgettable Moments

August 5th is a date that has become memorized by SONEs around the world. Whenever this date rolls around, SONEs reflect upon years past and swell with pride because of Girls’ Generation’s accomplishments, sisterly bond, and love for the fans. Inevitably, SONEs also look ahead and dream of how much more the girls can do over the next year and beyond.

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moonrise31

To this day, ‘Hello Baby’ has hands down always been my favorite variety show that Girls’ Generation has participated in. That show made me a SONE because after I started watching it, I fell for them pretty darn fast. In particular, my favorite part would have to be Seohyun’s hidden camera birthday party. We, as the viewers, got to watch the girls (although Tiffany was unfortunately absent for the entire thing) plan, practice, and execute an elaborate and half-improvised scheme to celebrate their maknae’s birthday. Their fun personalities really stood out to me then, from Taeyeon and Sunny’s spontaneous prank at the hair salon to Jessica and Yoona cracking up in the corner where they thought Seohyun wouldn’t see (and then getting really scared when they thought that she had). More importantly, through those episodes I was also able to see how much they really cared for each other, and it made me warm inside to think that they showed only a fraction of their true bond on-screen.

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spiceshoe

My favourite moment would be one of their last performances from their ‘Into the New World’ concerts: ‘Complete’. Throughout the year of 2009, all nine girls kept repeating that their huge dream was to have their own concert, and it was finally realized at the end of the year. Local and international fans all appreciated the amazing opportunity as everyone was excited for the anticipated moment. There were special performances, solo stages, and new tracks that had yet to be revealed. The event was a first one for both SONEs and Girls’ Generation, so it was perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by that accomplishment. Despite all of that, though, our girls kept their personalities down-to-earth. In the middle of the song ‘Complete’, all nine ran to the center of the stage and held hands as they said their silent prayer. It was one moment, one achievement they wanted to treasure forever, and they did exactly that in their circle. The girls have mentioned it themselves, too. When they turned around to face outwards and gazed at the pink ocean that was just for them, it was something that they have described as a very special feeling and that they were overflowing with gratefulness.

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kt9823

Girls’ Generation on an American show. I’ll never forget hearing a remixed version of ‘The Boys’ on Letterman and seeing the girls interact with Kelly and Howie the next morning. The unofficial American ‘debut’ was a success, and because of that, I would love to see a solo world tour include U.S. cities over the next year. It would be a new challenge, and one I know the girls’ would love to achieve. We know that the girls would work their hardest and adapt to the global stage; we’ve seen that time and time again with other international concerts and even when they changed their routine to fit Letterman’s smaller dance stage. With the support of SONEs, I do believe that Girls’ Generation can really accomplish any endeavor they choose to pursue. Finally, to Girls’ Generation, it’s been five amazing years filled with laughs, tears, success, and so much more. Thank you for everything you’ve given us and really, congratulations, and happy fifth anniversary! I hope you each continue to achieve all your dreams with great health and happiness. I look forward to many more amazing years together; Girls’ Generation and SONEs, we are one love.

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bhost909

My favorite moment in Girls’ Generation’s five years together is also one of the most heart-breaking. In July of 2009, Girls’ Generation recorded an appearance for Kim Jungeun’s ‘Chocolate’, and the producers of the show prepared an event which transformed from a simple interview into a moving and touching one. A woman in disguise was brought on stage, said that she had a daughter roughly the age of the members in Girls’ Generation, and had brought a letter that she asked Girls’ Generation to read: a letter from a mother telling her daughter her worries and a wish to give her a warm hug. As the letter was read, Tiffany could be seen in the background with tears in her eyes. Afterwards, Kim Jungeun asked if the members would like to leave a message to their mothers, and Taeyeon explained that the word ‘mom’ was off-limits (not allowed by rules – K) in Girls’ Generation. The woman in disguise was revealed to be Seohyun’s mother, and though a producer for the show revealed that this was meant to be a small surprise for Girls’ Generation, the members by then had been reduced to tears. At the interview’s heart-wrenching end, Tiffany, who lost her mother at a young age, took up Kim Jungeun’s offer for giving a message to her mother, and thanked her mom for giving her eight sisters in the form of Girls’ Generation.

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MoonSoshi9

In five years, Girls’ Generation has accomplished so many amazing things. They set records on music shows, won awards, became national treasures, held sold-out solo concerts all over Asia, and endorsed nearly everything made in Korea. Out of all these amazing moments, there is one that I always come back to: August 5th, 2007, Girls’ Generation’s debut. I didn’t even know about Girls’ Generation back then, but I have watched their debut performance of ‘Into The New World’ and backstage footage countless times, and it always moves me how bright-eyed and full of hope the girls were. After years of training, sweat, tears, and doubt, Girls’ Generation finally arrived. On that day, something magical was born, something that nobody could have predicted or expected except for those nine girls who knew in their hearts they had what it took to realize their dreams.

As we celebrate five years since that special day, we look forward to what the future holds for these nine girls. Going into their sixth anniversary, I would love to say that Girls’ Generation were world stars, fresh off their first solo world tour. I want to hear from a random person, ‘Have you heard of this group, Girls’ Generation? They are amazing!’ From everything we have seen of the passion and determination Girls’ Generation has, I believe that not even the sky is the limit.